CarePOD

Kathy Neff, a tireless advocate for patient empowerment and healthcare communication, brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to her mission of transforming healthcare. Diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) at the tender age of 5 ½ in 1969, Kathy has navigated a complex medical journey that has included over 20 major surgeries, including 9 hip replacements, 2 knee replacements, and numerous other procedures. Despite every joint being affected, her resilience and determination have shaped her into a beacon of hope and empowerment for others facing similar challenges.

Through her experiences with hundreds of doctors, Kathy learned the critical importance of being her own advocate. She discovered how to navigate the healthcare system effectively, ensuring she received the best possible care. This journey of self-advocacy fueled her passion to help others do the same.

In 2007, Kathy became a Certified Empowerment Coach, specializing in Communication in Healthcare, Patient Advocacy, and Dr. Patient Relationships. For over a decade, she has dedicated herself to coaching individuals on how to communicate effectively with their healthcare providers, empowering them to take control of their health journeys.

Kathy's unique perspective as both a patient and a coach allows her to connect deeply with her clients, offering insights and strategies that are both practical and compassionate. Her work emphasizes the importance of clear, honest communication and the development of strong, trusting relationships between doctors and patients.

In addition to her coaching practice, Kathy is a sought-after speaker and educator, sharing her story and expertise with healthcare professionals and patient groups alike. Her commitment to improving healthcare communication and patient advocacy has made her a respected voice in the field, inspiring countless individuals to become empowered advocates for their own health.

Kathy Neff's journey from a young child with a rare diagnosis to a leading advocate for patient empowerment is a testament to her strength, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to making a difference in the lives of others. Her work continues to inspire and empower, ensuring that every patient knows their voice matters and their care can be transformed through effective communication and advocacy.

Kim Wagner has worked in healthcare for more than 26 years, with eleven of those years being directly in home care. With a background in and passion for service to the elderly, Kim is unceasingly dedicated to ensuring the highest quality of care possible is provided to each and every client. Kim is a Certified Assisted Living Administrator, giving her unique perspective in understanding the benefits of living in your home versus moving to a facility.  Before entering the home care field professionally, Kim began her experience with home care as a family member of a client, where she experienced firsthand how quality home care can be truly life changing. Kim had to navigate the system with minimal help from healthcare professionals, giving her extensive knowledge and experience dealing with the challenges that families and loved ones face.  When Kim was 30, her then-husband David suffered a severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The TBI left him in a coma, caused him to have a stroke, and required multiple surgeries. While he was in the hospital and then in acute rehab, the social workers did little to assist Kim in navigating options for David. Kim, with the help of family and friends, spent time researching potential options and speaking with the health insurance company, multiple Congressmen, and members of the Department of Human Services in NJ to try to find resources for David. With limited help and support from medical professionals, Kim and her family figured out how to sign David up for Medicaid, get him into a temporary residential brain injury program, hire a home care agency to provide live-in care for him, and how to order the durable medical equipment (DME) needed for him to live in the home. She was even able to sign him up for a grant with the TBI Fund to pay for his in-home care, which the social workers at the hospital told her not to bother with, as there was no money left in the fund. Generally social workers will help with the aforementioned services, but since Kim and the family were not aware, they didn’t realize they could ask for assistance, and it was not offered.  Because of the live-in care provided by the home care agency, Kim decided to make a switch and started working in home care, first as a case manager, then Assistant Manager and ultimately Manager of the agency. After being laid-off during the pandemic, Kim and a business partner decided to start a home care agency together. Kim bought out the business partner one year into the business. Kim joined the Board of Trustees of The Tender, an adult social day program for seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s, in June 2023.

Leah Spasova is a psychologist specialising in sex and relationships at LIFESEXPERTS. Her work’s focus is on helping people improve and future proof their relationships and enjoy more fulfilling intimate lives. Leah offers one-to-one sessions, educational webinars that feature her and guest speakers who are also experts in the sexuality field.

**Find Leah and Many other Sex & Relationships Experts at: www.lifesexplicit.com

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Leah’s Website**:  www.lifesexperts.com

To see Leah’s content and Download her FREE ebook ‘’The Big 3 Secrets for a Pleasure filled Intimate Life’’ visit: https://knowledgehub.lifesexperts.com/

STACEY WOODSON, MS, RD, LDN Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist, Entrepreneur, Counselor, Speaker, and Author on the topics of nutrition and wellness. Staceywoodson.com ​ Stacey loves teaching people, especially children about nutrition and introducing them to new foods. Stacey's mission is to help improve the physical and mental well-being of her community through food. She believes that everyone should have access to nourishing foods and nutrition education. She also has a passion for gardening and growing food. Stacey has a children's book series titled Delicious and Nutritious. The series was inspired by and loosely based on her children. Stacey lives in Philadelphia, PA with her husband, three children and her cat.

#NutritionAsWeAge #WellBalancedMeals #HealthyAging #SeniorNutrition #BalancedDiet #AgingWell #NutritiousEating #ElderWellness #HealthyMeals #AgingWithVitality #SeniorHealth #WellnessForAging #NourishToFlourish #HealthyHabits #EatWellAgeWell

Drawing upon a rich tapestry of culinary leadership and a compassionate approach to service, my journey has been marked by dedication to the hospitality industry. At Chefs For Seniors, our team is committed to enhancing the lives of our clientele with personalized, nutritious meals, reflecting my foundational experience in banquets and food preparation.   As the founder of CookIn App, I've embraced technology and innovation to elevate food service, crafting a platform that resonates with today's digital landscape. Our mission intertwines seamlessly with my expertise in the hospitality industry, carving out a niche that goes beyond mere sustenance to touch hearts and enrich lives

Previously a Ballroom dance instructor, Real Estate agent for Keller Williams, Graduate of Rider University, and later the Institute of Culinary Education (ICE) becoming a pastry chef in New York City. Currently a Senior Leader for Tony Robbins, Founder and CEO of the Morning Care Club, and host of the morning care show. Fred Patak is on a mission to alleviate the silent suffering endured by those who dedicate themselves to caring for others at the expense of their own well-being. His unwavering commitment to the transformative power of lifestyle changes forms the bedrock of his philosophy, guiding individuals to nurture themselves to better care for others. Fred's journey from burned-out caregiver to certified nutrition and lifestyle medicine coach underscores his profound understanding of the challenges faced by those who prioritize the needs of others above their own health. His own experience of overcoming weight struggles and regaining vitality after a hospitalization propelled him to advocate for the often-overlooked issue of caregiver self-neglect. Balancing his life between New Jersey and New York, Fred is deeply rooted in his responsibilities as a devoted grandson and lifelong caregiver to his grandmother, serving as her dedicated medical advocate for the last 15 years. His unique perspective and dedication illuminate a path toward holistic well-being for caregivers, nurses, aides, therapists, and parents alike.

Jushean Lee: A Multifaceted Professional Dedicated to Healthcare EquityWith two decades of experience in the nursing field, Jushean Lee has made a significant impact in obstetrics and newborn care, school nursing, and currently excels in care management for a Medicaid insurance company. Her expertise extends to mental health, where she spent eight years as a crisis management counselor and inpatient psychiatric care provider.Not limited to healthcare, Jushean's entrepreneurial spirit shines through her ventures spanning over 11 years in various markets. She's the mastermind behind the beloved hot sauce brand, OctoberBoyz Hot Sauce, the trendsetting accessories boutique, Shop Sheana, and the artisanal haven for handmade knit and crochet items, Le Louve Dor.Jushean's academic journey is as impressive as her professional endeavors. She holds a BA in Psychology from the College of NJ and a BSN in Nursing from the College of Health Professions at Thomas Jefferson University.Driven by a profound passion for bridging healthcare gaps and addressing racial disparities, particularly concerning Black women's health in obstetrics, Jushean Lee is a force to be reckoned with in the pursuit of healthcare equity and improved outcomes for all.

Dr. Andre Gomez to is the esteemed position of President and Chief Operating Officer of Bedrock Healthcare At Home. In this role, Dr. Gomez is expected to lead a period of exceptional growth for Bedrock, as the organization is poised to impact the lives of 100,000 individuals by December 2024.

An accomplished alumnus of Stockton University, Dr. Gomez boasts a trilogy of academic excellence, holding a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy, all earned with high honors. His educational journey serves as a testament to his unwavering commitment to knowledge and proficiency.

In his role as President and COO, Dr. Gomez brings a lucid vision aimed at fostering collaboration among industry leaders, revolutionizing healthcare practices, and extending aid to those in need. He envisions Bedrock Healthcare at Home as the trailblazer in Wellness Ecosystems, leading the national expansion of the organization and setting the gold standard for the industry.

Dr. Gomez is set to spearhead value-based initiatives and introduce ‘The New Medical Specialty’ to strategic partners, championing a unique healthcare continuum that prioritizes comprehensive and personalized care.

Dr. Gomez is also the host of The Bedrock Way Podcast. The Bedrock Way is a healthcare-based podcast to give practitioners and business leadership their voice back. The Bedrock Way podcast is hosted by Dr. Andre Gomez, DPT, and is produced by Jonathan Gonzalez. There is a need to speak about our fragmented healthcare system in the aftermath of the post pandemic era. The Bedrock Way podcast emerged May 1, 2023, to reconstruct the “severed” vocal cords which has led to the silencing of the healthcare industry. This platform serves as a leadership training and advocacy platform for all industries to speak up and get their voice back!

Beyond his professional pursuits, Dr. Gomez treasures quality time with his wife, Mayra Gomez, and their three children, AJ, Sophia, & Olivia. This

personal commitment reflects his holistic approach to life and underscores the values he brings to the forefront as a leader in the healthcare industry.

Listen in as our host Dr. Kiplee Bell is a guest on the Bedrock Way podcast discussing the future of healthcare and our current landscape

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